PET GFR

Molecular imaging of kidney function.

Background

Chronic kidney disease is a widespread and growing health challenge, affecting 10–15% of the global population. It is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and its prevalence continues to increase. GFR (Glomerular Filtration Rate) is the gold standard for measuring kidney function, but current methods are often time-consuming, require extensive sampling, and lack precision, especially in acute care or transplantation settings.

The inventors, comprising experts from the University of Bergen and Haukeland University Hospital, have developed a cutting-edge method called PET-GFR. This innovative approach uses 18F-labelled insulin as a tracer to provide fast, precise, and localized kidney function measurements, offering superior selectivity and enhanced imaging quality.

Advantages The PET-GFR method addresses critical gaps in kidney function diagnostics and offers significant benefits for both clinicians and patients. It reduces assessment time from hours or days to minutes, alleviating patient burden and enabling faster clinical decisions. The method allows highly localized measurements of kidney function, such as single-kidney performance or specific nephron subpopulations, which are beyond the capability of existing methods. It simplifies donor evaluation in kidney transplantation, increasing safety and reducing stress for patients. Additionally, it facilitates early detection and monitoring of kidney diseases, potentially preventing severe outcomes like chronic kidney failure.

Technology description

PET-GFR is a diagnostic method that uses 18F-labelled insulin as a tracer to provide precise, localized measurements of kidney function. By visualizing tracer accumulation in the kidney cortex, the method directly quantifies GFR at the level of individual kidneys and even specific nephron populations. This data-driven approach offers a significant improvement over traditional clearance tests, delivering faster, more accurate results with less patient burden. PET-GFR sets a new standard for kidney function diagnostics, addressing critical unmet needs in transplantation, kidney surgery, and early detection of kidney disease.

Business opportunity We are seeking R&D collaboration with industrial partners or potential licensees to bring the PET-GFR diagnostic test to market. PET-GFR represents a transformative advancement in kidney diagnostics, addressing critical unmet needs in transplantation, kidney surgery, and early detection of chronic kidney disease. With CKD affecting 10–15% of the global population and over 16,800 kidney transplants performed annually in Europe alone, this diagnostic tool offers a targeted solution for improving patient outcomes. By incorporating PET-GFR, companies can enhance their product portfolios, advance precision diagnostics, and capitalize on a rapidly growing market for innovative kidney function tests.

Protection The technology is protected by a patent (priority date: December 2, 2020) currently in the national phase in the US and Europe.

Inventors

Olav Tenstad, University of Bergen

Tom Christian Holm Adamsen, Haukeland University Hospital

Contact

For more information or to discuss collaboration opportunities, please contact:

Astrid Elise Hasselberg Innovation Manager ahas@visinnovasjon.no +47 41421995